OBJECTIVEThis study aims to compare and determine a kind of nano-hydroxyapatite composite material with good antibacterial efficacy on Enterococcusfaecalis (E. faecalis) in vitro.

METHODSWe investigated the antimicrobial activity of four kinds of nano-hydroxyapatite composites, namely, silver/hydroxyapatite composite nanoparticles (Ag/nHA), yttrium/hydroxyapatite composite nanoparticles (Yi/nHA), cerium/hydroxyapatite composite nanoparticles (Ce/nHA), and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA), against E. faecalis in vitro using the agar diffusion and broth dilution method by measuring the growth inhibition zone and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively.

RESULTSThe agar diffusion test results showed that Ag/nHA displayed an obvious growth inhibition zone, whereas Yi/nHA, Ce/nHA, and nHA showed no influence on E. faecalis. The MIC value of Ag/nHA was 1.0 g.L-1, and the three other materials had no effect on E.faecalis even at the high concentration of 32.0 g.L-1.

CONCLUSIONAg/nHA display a potential antimicrobial efficacy to planktonic E.faecalis. Whereas, the three other kinds of nano-hydroxyapatite composites (Yi/nHA, Ce/nHA, nHA) show no influence.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Durapatite ; pharmacology ; Enterococcus faecalis ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Nanocomposites ; toxicity ; Silver

The morbidity of obesity-related glomerulopathy(ORG) is on the increase in recent years.Studies have demonstrated that the chronic inflammation may play a key role in the pathogenesis of obesity related metabolic dysfunction.LipoxinA4 (LXA4) is an important anti-inflammatory lipid mediator,which is well known as the stop signal of the inflammatory reaction that can promote the resolution of inflammation.This review will provide a survey of recent advances on ORG and LXA4.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between R405Q polymorphism of GLI1 gene and tetralogy of fallot(TOF).Methods In the case-control study,the R405Q polymorphism of GLI1 gene in 112 children with TOF and 200 healthy controls were detected with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).The distribution of genotype and allele frequency at R405Q polymorphism site were analyzed and to investigate its relationship with the risk of TOF.ResultsThe distribution of genotype frequency at R405Q polymorphism site was not different between TOF group and the healthy control group(x2 =5.317 ,P = 0.07) .However, the distribution of allele frequency at R405Q polymorphism site was significantly different between TOF group and the healthy control group (x2 = 6.790, P = 0.009) , and the relative risk for TOF in A allele carriers was higher than that in G allele carriers (OR = 1.561,95％ CI 1.116 ～ 2.185) Conclusion The R405Q polymorphism of GLI1 gene is associated with TOF and people with A allele have higher risk with TOF.GLI1 gene might be the genetic susceptibility gene of TOF.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between airway obstruction and peripheral arterial stiffness in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Ninetyeight elderly patients with COPD were enrolled.The patients were divided into two groups according to forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV1) percentage of predicted (FEV1 ％):mild-moderate group (FEV1 ％ ≥ 50％,62 cases) and severe group (FEV1％ ＜ 50％,36 cases).The brachium-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV),body mass index (BMI),24 h average heart rate,blood level of lipid,fasting blood glucose,arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) level were compared between two groups.Results Compared with mild-moderate group,the BMI in sever group was lower:(22.9 ± 4.3) kg/m2 vs.(25.4 ± 3.3) kg/m2,24 h average heart rate was higher:(77.5 ± 12.8) times/rmin vs.(70.7 ± 9.5) times/min,PaO2 was lower:(71.7 ± 13.1) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) vs.(84.5 ± 13.2) mmHg,and there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.05).The baPWV in mild-moderate group was (18.9 ± 4.2) m/s,and in sever group was (21.8 ± 3.6) m/s,and there was statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).The hs-CRP in miid-moderate group was (6.62 ± 4.57) mg/L,and in sever group was (3.38 ± 2.13) mg/L,and there was statistical difference (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions The morbidity of peripheral arterial stiffness is increased in elderly patients with COPD.Progression of peripheral arterial stiffness is related to the severity of airway obstruction.

Objective To compare the anthelmintic effect of albendazole with that of triclabendazole against Fasciola giganti-ca. Methods Two patients infected with Fasciola gigantica were investigated,and one was administered with albendazole orally (200 mg,twice per day for 5 days)and another was administered with triclabendazole[10 mg/(kg?d)for 2 days]. Their total fe-ces were collected daily during the period of whole therapy,and the eggs of the parasite were collected by using the nylon bag method,and incubated at 28℃. Results The parasite eggs were detected from the first patient’s dejecta on the 1st,2nd and 5th day after the end of the treatment,and no miracidiums hatched out as well as no eggs developed during the period of 25 days of the incubation. Meanwhile,her body temperature fluctuated between 37.4℃and 38.3℃,and she still complained bellyache. For the other invalid,the eggs were not detected on the 2nd and 5th day after the end of the treatment. However,the eggs before and dur-ing the treatment developed the miracidiums of Fasciola gigantica on the 13th day after the incubation,but the eggs collected from the 1st day after the termination of the therapy did not develop and no miracidiums hatched out. At the same time,the signs and symptoms of the patient vanished after the 4th day of the end of the therapy. Conclusions Albendazole has no obvious insecticid-al activity on adult Fasciola gigantica in the short term,but may affect the development of eggs. Triclabendazole has the anthelmin-tic effect on the adults as well as eggs of Fasciola gigantica. In addition,triclabendazole has the characteristics of well curative ef-fect,short course of treatment,and no obvious side effects.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide, a novel antimicrobial peptide, against several major cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria in vitro. METHODS In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Saccharomyces albicans in vitro using the agar diffusion method and broth dilution method. Furthermore, a time-kill kinetic study of decapeptide against S. mutans was performed.

RESULTSThe results showed that decapeptide exhibited antimicrobial activity against various oral bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of main cariogenic bacteria ranged from 62.5 μg · mL(-1) to 125 μg · mL(-1), and the MIC of periodontopathogenic bacteria tested ranged from 250 μg · mL(-1) to 1,000 μg · mL(-1). Among the bacteria tested, decapeptide had a strong inhibitory effect on cariogenic S. mutans. Results of the time-kill kinetic studies showed that decapeptide reduced the viable counts of S. mutans by more than one order of magnitude after 20 min of incubation, and thoroughly killed S. mutans after 30 min. No viable cells could be detected after 24 h of incubation.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggest that decapeptide might have potential clinical application in treating dental caries by killing S. mutans within dental plaque.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Bacteria ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Kinetics ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mouth ; microbiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Streptococcus mutans

OBJECTIVETo compare the protein profiles between decapeptide-treated and untreated planktonic cells of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) by differential proteomic analysis to determine and identify the key proteins.

METHODSIn our previous study, we investigated decapeptide (KKVVFKVKFK-NH2), which was a novel adenosine monophosphate. Compared with other oral pathogens tested, decapeptide had a preferential antibacterial activity against S. mutans. It also inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation and reduced the one-day developed biofilm. In the present study, we first synthesized decapeptide, and then compared the protein profiles between decapeptide-treated and untreated planktonic cells of S. mutans by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We also verified different expressions of key protein enolase in the protein level.

RESULTSThe results showed that decapeptide altered the protein expression of planktonic S. mutans. These proteins were functionally involved in carbohydrate degradation by glycolysis, protein folding, conjunction, transport, translation, adenosine triphosphate binding, protein binding, sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription factor activity, and two-component response regulator activity. Western blot results showed that enolase protein expression decreased obviously in decapeptide-treated cells of S. mutans.

CONCLUSIONThe protein expression of S. mutans significantly changed after synthetic antimicrobial decapeptide treatment, suggesting that decapeptide may present a preferential effect on oral caries by changing the expression of certain key proteins, such as enolase protein.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Biofilms ; Dental Caries ; Depsipeptides ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Oligopeptides ; genetics ; Proteomics ; Streptococcus mutans ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the influence of Yishen granule on the expression of type Ⅳ collagen,laminin (LN)and fibroneetin (FN)in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.Methods DN model rats were established by unilateral nephrectomy and intraperltoneal injection of STZ.The experimental rats were divided into six groups:normal group,DN model group,Yishen granule groups in low and high dose (8.1 g/kg、16.2 g/kg) and positive control medicine group with lotensin (0.0015 g/kg).After 16 weeks of treatment,kidney tissues were sampled and pathologically observed through Masson trichrome staining.The proteins of type Ⅳ collagen、LN and FN were determined through immunohistochemical methods.Results The type Ⅳ collagen in normal group,DN model group,Yishen granule groups in low and high dose,and positive control medicine group was (1521.22 ± 415.26),(1579.22 ± 343.26),(3402.00 ± 863.39),(2984.30 ± 674.53),(2959.15 ± 561.22),(2918.04±363.96); LN was (1968.04±522.17),(2004.52±417.19),(3299.04±665.78),(3116.89±540.10),(2932.63 ± 528.38),(2815.89 ± 798.58) ; FN was (2614.67 ± 533.82),(2742.63 ± 562.80),(3311.41 ± 529.29),(2993.44±548.66),(2953.30±535.74),(2897.41 ±505.84) respectively.The level of type Ⅳ collagen、LN and FN expression in Yishen granule group obviously decreased as compared with that in DN model group (P＜0.05).The mesangial cells,basement membrane thickening and endocapillary proliferation in glomerular filtration membrane were significantly alleviated in Yishen granule group.The pathology of kidney was obviously modulated by Yishen granule.Conclusion Yishen granule can significantly inhibits the expression of type Ⅳ collagen、LN and FN in DN rats,which may be the mechanisms for Yishen granule in protecting the DN rat's kidney.

ThisstudywasaimedtoobservetheinhibitoryeffectsofQi-Zhu (QZ)granulesonearlyproteinuria in diabetic nephropathy rats with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals. A total of 44 rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, Huang-Kui capsule group, QZ granules group. The rat model of diabetic nephropathy with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals was induced by the combination of unilateral renal artery ligation, diet of high-calorie and high cholesterol, and intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin. The medication was given for 8 weeks. The concentrations of protein and creatinine in urine were observed on the 4th week. The blood glucose, blood lipids, liver function and renal pathological changes were observed at the end of the experiment. The results showed that compared with the model group, QZ granules can obvious suppress early proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy, promote creatinine excretion, regulate blood lipid metabolism, protect liver function and improve renal pathological changes. It was concluded that QZ granules had independent inhibition effect on early proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy rats with syndrome of qi-yin deficiency and phlegm blocking collaterals. The effect was independent of lowing blood glucose. It represented the corresponding relation between the syndrome and efficacy in Chinese herb compounds.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide, a novel antimicrobial peptide, against several major cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria in vitro. Methods In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide against Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Saccharomyces albicans in vitro using the agar diffusion method and broth dilution method. Furthermore, a time–kill kinetic study of decapeptide against S. mutans was performed. Results The results showed that decapeptide exhibited antimicrobial activity against various oral bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of main cariogenic bacteria ranged from 62.5 μg·mL-1 to 125 μg·mL-1, and the MIC of periodontopathogenic bacteria tested ranged from 250 μg·mL-1 to 1 000 μg·mL-1. Among the bacteria tested, decapeptide had a strong inhibitory effect on cariogenic S.mutans. Results of the time–kill kinetic studies showed that decapeptide reduced the viable counts of S. mutans by more than one order of magnitude after 20 min of incubation, and thoroughly killed S.mutans after 30 min. No viable cells could be detected after 24 h of incubation. Conclusion This study suggest that decapeptide might have potential clinical application in treating dental caries by killing S.mutans within dental plaque.